Iran Israel tensions | June 16 Highlights: Iran preparing for ‘largest missile attack’

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that more jets are being sent to the Middle East. He said that further military assets are being deployed to provide "contingency support" across the region amid escalating hostilities between the two long-time foes.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday said that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.

Iran denies reports of sending any message to Israel via a third country, according to a statement from Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Baghaei.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran will pay "very heavy price" for the civilian deaths in Israel.

"Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children," Netanyahu said during a visit to the site of a missile strike on a residential building in the coastal city of Bat Yam.

Iran has said that mosques, metro stations, and schools will serve as shelters from the Israeli strikes, news agency AFP reported.

Iran's Tasnim agency reported that two explosions were heard in central Tehran.

Iran Israel conflict news: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said have called for an urgent de-escalation in the Middle East. This comes after the two leaders spoke on a phone call during escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. 

"The chancellor thanked (the sultan) for Oman's mediation efforts towards ending Iran's nuclear programme. He emphasised that Iran must never have nuclear weapons," the spokesperson said in a statement, as reported by Reuters. The spokesperson added that both nations must resolve conflict through diplomatic means. 

Iran Israel war news updates: As tensions with Israel continue, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told state TV on Sunday. that mosques, schools and subway systems can be used to seek shelter during Israeli attacks. 

"There is no problem with the provision of food, medicine, fuel," she added further.

Iran Israel war news updates: The Indian embassy in Iran has issued a set of hotline numbers for Indian nationals in the region. These emergency numbers come in view of the rising tensions between iran and Israel. 

Emergency contact details of the Embassy -

+98 9128109115 and +98 9128109109

For call only - +98 9128109115 and +98 9128109109

For WhatsApp - +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, and, +91 8086871709.

⁠Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036

Zahedan: +98 9396356649

Iran Israel conflict live: As per the latest update, Iran has activated its air defence systems in Tehran as a measure to intercept any incoming Israeli drones and projectiles. 

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday that iran has asked the country to convey “some messages” to Israel. 

As per Reuters, the president did not say who specifically the messages were from or what they said. But these messages come after the Cypriot foreign minister spoke to his Iranian counterpart on Friday.

Iran Israel war LIVE updates: Israel's El Al Airlines on Sunday said it has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow until June 23 owning to the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Iran Israel conflict news: Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow until June 23. This comes as Israeli airspace remains closed for a third consecutive day due to the conflict with Iran. 

Iran Israel war news updates: Amid the tensions between Iran and Israel, the Israeli military has called on civilians living near military sites to evacuate.  

"Urgent warning to all Iranian citizens: All persons who are currently or in the near future present in or around military weapons production factories and their support institutions should immediately leave these areas and not return until further notice. Your presence next to this infrastructure puts your life at risk," Col Avichay Adraee was quoted as saying.

Iran Israel conflict news: Moments after Iran stated Israel struck a defence ministry facility, the Israeli military confirmed its strikes in the country's Isfahan region. 

As per a military spokesperson for the IDF, the Israeli military struck a nuclear facility in Iran's Isfahan. The spokesperson did not provide a time frame for the attack. 

Iran Israel conflict live updates: The UK is sending more RAF jets to the Middle East as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that this is being done after Iran threatened to target UK, French and US bases. 

Iran Israel conflict news LIVE: As per Iran's heath minister, a majority of the death toll caused by Israeli strikes and attacks in the past few days have been attributed to women and children. 

Iran Israel conflict news: Iran has stated it has arrested two individuals, accused of being members of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad. 

As per a Reuters report, the two people were arrested in the Alborz province while they were preparing explosives and electronic devices. 

Iran Israel conflict news: Israeli authorities have stated that the country's airspace will remain closed on Sunday due to the conflict with Iran. With this, the Israeli airspace stays shut for a third consecutive day.

"Due to the security situation and in accordance with the instructions of security authorities, Israeli airspace is currently closed to civilian aviation -- no incoming or outgoing flights are operating," said a joint statement from the transport and foreign ministries. 

Iran Israel conflict news LIVE: Iranian media has stated that Israel has attacked a facility affiliated with the defence ministry in the central city of Isfahan

"One of the centres affiliated with the Ministry of Defence in Isfahan was attacked, and possible damages are under investigation," ISNA news agency reported quoting deputy provincial governor Akbar Salehi.

Iran Israel conflict news: As per an AFP report, Iranian media has reported that Israel has launched a fresh attack on the country's defence ministry facility. More details are awaited. 

Iran Israel war news live updates: Iran's oil ministry told state media on Sunday that operations at the Isfahan refinery remain unaffected, denying online claims of any incident or attack amid Israeli strikes, Reuters reported.

Iran Israel war news live updates: Amid conflict with Israel, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that the latest Israeli assault on Iran was intended to “derail” nuclear discussions with the US, AFP reported.

"It is entirely clear that the Israeli regime does not want any agreement on the nuclear issue. It does not want negotiations and does not seek diplomacy," Araghchi told foreign diplomats, calling the Friday strikes an "attempt to undermine diplomacy and derail negotiations".

Iran Israel war news live updates: Israeli officials announced that the country’s airspace remained shut on Sunday for the third straight day following two nights of deadly Iranian missile strikes in retaliation for Israeli bombardments, AFP reported.

“Due to the security situation and in accordance with the instructions of security authorities, Israeli airspace is currently closed to civilian aviation — no incoming or outgoing flights are operating,” said a joint statement from the transport and foreign ministries.

Iran Israel war news live updates: Jordan reopened its airspace on Sunday morning following a night of missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, AFP reported.

The country’s civil aviation authority said in a statement that the airspace was reopened “for civilian flights following a careful risk assessment.”

Jordan, which shares a border with Israel, had shut its skies late Saturday – marking the second closure since the escalation of direct hostilities between the two rivals.